Introducing the Zimmermeter

One thing we’ve always wanted to do here at Bus Leagues is track the prospects who journey through the minors toward their ultimate goal: a spot on a MLB roster. The way we’ve chosen to do that is something I call The Zimmermeter. The title references the rocket-like rise of Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, who traveled from the University of Virginia to the Washington Nationals roster in mere months in 2005. We’ll keep track of their accumulated statistics and let you know when each prospect moves up a level on the meter, and we’ll mine the hometown newspapers for some local reaction.

Here are our top 25, including a couple of guys I added on a whim just because I’m curious how they’ll do.

1.Jay Bruce, CF (AAA) – Cincinnati

2.Evan Longoria, 3B (AAA) – Tampa

3.David Price, LHP (A) – Tampa

4.Colby Rasmus, CF (AA) – St. Louis

5.Clayton Kershaw, LHP (AA) – Dodgers

6.Cameron Maybin, CF (AAA) – Marlins

7.Homer Bailey, RHP (AAA) – Cincinnati

8.Rick Porcello, RHP (A) – Detroit

9.Travis Snyder, RF (A) – Toronto

10.Andrew McCutcheon, CF (AAA) – Pittsburgh

11.Mike Moustakas, 3B, (R) – KC

12.Josh Vitters, 3B (A) – Cubs

13.Carlos Gonzalez, RF (AAA) – Oakland

14.Fernando Martinez, CF (AA) – Mets

15.Jacob McGee, LHP (AA) – Tampa

16.Matt Wieters, C (A) – Baltimore

17.Lars Anderson, 1B (AA) – Boston

18.Wade Davis, RHP (AA) – Tampa

19.Elvis Andrus, SS (AA) – Rangers

20.Ian Stewart, 3B (AAA) – Rockies

21.Reid Brignac, SS (AAA) – Rays

22.Joey Votto, 3B (AAA) – Reds

23.Luke Hochevar, P (AAA) – Royals

24.Joe Koshansky, 1B (AAA) – Rockies

25.Jeff Samardzija, P (AA) – Cubs

Koshansky is there because he was an ace pitcher and hitter on the same UVA team with Zimmerman, and Samarjaisioafiwa is there because he was a WR with Notre Dame, and therefore is a semi-celebrity curiousity with a funny name. I’m sorry, that’s just how we roll.

We’ll get this feature rolling right next week, after a few stats begin to accumulate.